Panama-flagged ship hits two pontoons and seven boats in Tulcea

A commercial ship carrying more than 10,000 tons struck riverfront infrastructure and several boats during a maneuver on the Danube near Tulcea, Romania. Two boats sank in the collision, but authorities reported no victims.

The vessel, MV S Line, sails under the Panamanian flag and was heading to Ismail to load grain, according to Dan Ichim, chief captain of the Tulcea Regional Harbour Master’s Office. Ichim said the ship failed to position itself correctly at the area known as Cotul Tulcea before hitting the riverfront.

The ship damaged two mooring pontoons and seven boats, according to an official update issued at 7:30 p.m. Boat PA 1591 TL was pushed out of position and suffered damage to its gangway. Boats 0657 TL and 01692 TL sustained damage to their hulls and superstructures, while 01357 TL and 0463 TL were damaged in their superstructures.

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The ship was heading to Ismail to load grain. It did not position itself correctly at Cotul Tulcea and, in the riverfront area, hit two pontoons and four boats. Some boats were damaged and partially submerged. There were no victims.

The most serious damage affected boats 01444 MC and 079 SN, both of which sank after the impact. Earlier accounts said the ship came close to striking passenger vessels moored at the Navrom pontoon. Videos from the scene showed the collision and its aftermath.

A tug took the MV S Line to Mile 44 because there was not enough room to turn it safely at the riverfront. Authorities said the navigation channel remained open. Investigators are assessing the damage and examining how the maneuver went wrong.

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It was taken by a tug and brought to Mile 44. There was nowhere for it to turn here. We will assess the damage, and investigations have begun.